Crate.



R. J. MOWBN. CRATE. APPLICATION 1-11.31) we. 22, 1010.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Inventor Witnesses Attorneys Patented May 23, 1911.

R. J. MOWEN. CRATE. APPLICATION mum we. 22, 1910.

Patented May 23, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Witnes ses I by nvento Attorneys ROBERT J'. MOWEN, F HENDERSON, KENTUCKY.

CRATE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 23, 1911.

Application filed August 22, 1910. Serial No. 578,340.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT J. MOWEN, a

citizen of the United States, residing at ing machines and similar articles and it consists in the novel construction and arrangement of its parts as hereinafter shown and described. I

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and substantial structure of the character indicated, the parts of which are so assembled that they may be readily disconnected whereby the several parts of the crate may be collapsed into compact form.

A further object of the invention is to provide a corner strap of peculiar arrangement and adapted to protect the corners of the crate from usage and wear.

In the accompanying drawings,-Figure 1 is a perspective view of the crate. Fig. 2

is a perspective view of one of the corner straps. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a portion of one corner of the crate showing the corner straps applied thereto. Fig. 4 is a plan view of a blank from which the corner I strap is formed.

The crate consists of the sides 1 which are preferably rectangular and are provided at their corners with straps 2 of the configuration hereinafter described. The corner strap is formed from a blank of the shape as il1ustrated in Fig. 4 and the said blank is provided with the side portions 55 which are out of alinement with each other. At the 10 inner end of one of the side portions 5 is located a portion 6 which integrally joins both of the portions 5 and which is provided with 'a tapered or beveled edge 7. At the inner end of the other side 5 is formed a flap 8 tolwhich is separated at its side from that portion 5 having the portion 6 by means of an incision 9. The corner stra is formed into shape to be applied to the side 1 in the followlng manner. The flap 8 is bent up at a O'right angle to that portion 5 to whichit is attached and the portions 5 are bent up at a right angle to each other along the line 10. The portion 5 to which the part 6 is attached is bent up at a right angle to the said 5 part 6 along the line 11 and thus the inner end of the portion 5 to which the part 6 is attached is located directly against the side of the flap 8. The said flap 8 is then connected with that portion 5 which is attached to the part 6 by means of rivets which are passed through the openings 12 and 13 in the said flap and portion 5, respectively. The corner strap thus formed is applied to the corner of the side 1 and one of the portions 5 extends along the edge of the side 1, while the other portion 5 extends along the side of the said side part 1. Curved bolts 14 are then passed through perforations 15 rovided in the corner straps and registerlng perforations in the sides and edge pieces of the side part 1 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawin s. Blocks 15' are interposed between the e ge and side pieces of the side parts 1 and the said blocks are approximately triangular in plan, with their longer sides slightly curved, as illustrated in Fig. 3 to fit snugly against the inner side of the bolt 4. A nut 16 is screw threaded upon the end of each bolt 14 and when the said nut is tightened the block 15' is securely held between the edge and side pieces of the side part 1 and serves as a clamp for holding the said pieces in proper relation. The lower end of the block 15 rests upon the part 6 of the corner strap. Or if the side parts 1 are provided with ledge pieces 17 as illustrated in Fig. 1, the said ledge pieces rest upon the part 6 of the corner strap and the lower end of the blocks 15' rests upon the end portions of the said ledge pieces.

The side parts 1 of the crate are held in spaced relation by cross bars 18 which are provided at their ends with straps 19 which in turn are pierced by the end portions of the bolts 14. Brace pieces 20 extend diagonally from the upper to the lower corners of the side parts 1 of the crate and are also provided at their ends with straps 21 which are pierced by the bolts 14.

When the crate is set up the parts are in the positions as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings. When it is desired to collapse the crate the nuts 16 are unscrewed from the ends of the bolts 14 and the bolts 14 are removed from the side pieces and straps and the cross bars 18 and braces 21 are removed from between the side parts 1 of the crate. The said cross bars and braces are then laid upon one of the side parts of the crate and the other side part of the crate is placed upon the said cross bars and braces and the several parts of the crate are then bound together. Thus the crate is collapsed in compact form and may be readily shipped or stored.

As above stated the crate is especially adapted to be used for incasing sewing machines and when in position about the machine the feetof the machinerest upon the ledge pieces 17 and may be -secured down thereon in any suitable manner. Thus the machine willbe effectually protected by the crate and, may be shipped 1n safety :from one point to another-without regard. to distance.

Having: described the invention whattl my own, I have hereto afliXed-my signature claim as new and desire to secure by Leta tersPatent 1s In a crate'a corner structurecomprisinga;

strap formed so thatv three of its portions bearjaga-inst three'sides of the crate at the p:

curved-, .bOlt-r', passingi:

corner: thereof,- 9331 through two sides 01": the crate and the two 20 andthe sides of the crate, said block having angularly disposed faces which bear against the sides of the crate, and a curvedfacev25 against which the said bolt bears, and-a nut screw-threaded upon the end of the bolt and adapted to serve as a drawing means for the ,bolt to clamp the sidesofthe crate-against each. other; and between thersaidwblock and '30 the strap.

In testimony that-I claim the foregoing as:

in the presence oftwo witnesses.

ROBERT J. MOW BN5? Witnesses:

SADIE MURRAY,

. WM: B. JAMES." I

Gopiesoti this patenttmaybe obtained for five centsteaoh, by addressing the Commissioner of Patentss-s Washington, D. 03- 

